CHARDON, Ohio - Senior Andy Pope carded a final round of 68 (-3) on Sunday in leading the Xavier University men's golf team to a tie for 16th place at the NCAA Central Regional, which was played on the par-71, 7,173-yard Sand Ridge Club. Xavier fired a 7-over-par 291 and totaled a 901 (+49) for the three rounds to record the team's best-ever finish in NCAA regional play.

The Musketeers came into the final round in 20th place, but their best performance of the weekend allowed XU to move up four spots in the team standings.

Oklahoma State finished atop the team leaderboard at 7-under-par (845) while OSU's Jonathan Moore claimed medalist honors with an 8-under-par 205.

Pope's round of 68 (-3) included four birdies on the day, three of which came in the final five holes. The senior posted XU's best individual finish of the tournament at 7-over-par (220) to tie for 30th place. Jason Kokrak carded a 2-over 73 for a three-round total of 221 (+8).

Junior John Streibich recorded his best round of the weekend with an even-par 71 to finish with a 13-over-par 226. Andy Connell posted a 79 (+8) to push his total to 235 (+22) while freshman Mike Beausejour carded an 84 (+13) for a three-day total of 242 (+29).

XU's trip to the 2006 NCAA Central Regional was the fifth in the history of the program including an appearance in each of the last four years. The Musketeers will return four of the top five players next season including the Atlantic 10 Conference Co-Performers of the Year Jason Kokrak and John Streibich.